Mary Margaret (Foster) Oles

Mary Margaret Foster Oles, age 91, passed away on March 23, 2026, in Troy, Michigan.

She was born on February 20, 1935, in Waterford, Michigan, to John (“Jack”) Foster and Margaret Katherine Wilson Foster. Mary grew up in Waterford, where she cherished time spent at her family home on Williams Lake, enjoying swimming, spending time with her family, and forming memories that shaped her life.

Mary graduated from Our Lady of the Lakes High School in Waterford before attending the University of Detroit. It was there that she met her future husband and devoted partner of 67 years, John Oles. After earning her degree in education, Mary began a career that reflected her love of learning and her desire to help others succeed.

Mary and John were married in 1958, beginning a beautiful partnership that spanned nearly seven decades.

Mary dedicated her professional life to education, teaching the majority of her career at L’Anse Creuse High School. She specialized in business education, where she helped students develop practical skills that prepared them for the future. An early adopter of emerging technology, Mary embraced computers at a time when they were just beginning to enter the classroom, playing a key role in modernizing business education and leaving a lasting impact on her students.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, John Oles; her children, Stefanie Kimball (Brian), Jennifer Oles, and John Oles (Lori); and her six grandchildren, Nicole Kimball Serrico (Scott), Caitlin Kimball Japowicz (Steve), Jacob Kimball (fiancée Rachel), Olivia Oles, Lily-Grace Oles, and Lucy Oles. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Ava Japowicz and Raymond Serrico.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Foster, and her brother, John Foster.

Mary and John shared a love of golf and enjoyed many happy years living in Prudenville on White Deer Golf Course, as well as spending winters in their home at Highland Fairways, a golf community in Lakeland, Florida. Mary found great joy in spending time with her family, who were the center of her life.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Christler’s Funeral Home: Prudenville Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 1, 2026, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Prudenville, Michigan. Visitation with the family will take place at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. Burial will follow at Roscommon Township Cemetery, with lunch then hosted by the family at Our Lady of the Lake Church.

Mary will be remembered for the love she shared with her family and friends, as well as her dedication to her students and her commitment to innovation in education.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Endowment Fund at PO Box 800, Prudenville, Michigan 48651, in Mary’s honor. 

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